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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

Positive Messages

The idea is there that girls can get over their breakups by being better, closer friends to one another. But the focus still seems to be on crushes and boyfriends.

Positive Role Models & Representations

The girls start off strong, choosing not to let their crushes rule their life and creating rules; many of them find he courage to try new things, whether singing with a band or writing poetry, but their focus stays pretty much on who they want to date, or date again, or not date. The parents are mostly present and supportive of their girls.

Violence

Sex

Lots of crushes; kissing.

Language

Mild use of "hell," "bitch," "s--t," "ass," "piss," and "damn."

Consumerism

Some references to brands such as iPod, Sentra, Sephora.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Teens attend a kegger; Sydney gets drunk for the first time at a party drinking rum and has a bad hangover.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this is a pretty frothy romance somewhat similar to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series but with fewer mature topics -- just some teen drinking and a bit of swearing. The girls support each other and exhibit loyalty; most of the guys are positive, well-rounded characters, and the parents are mostly present and supportive of their girls. However, the idea that the girls are more interested in being great friends than having boyfriends isn't how it plays out.

What's the story?

A circle of high school friends find themselves without boyfriends all at the same time. Alexia's parents are therapists, and she's the one who suggests writing a breakup code: a list of rules for the heartbroken to follow that will transform them into the heartbreakers instead. Focusing on themselves for a while instead of their boyfriends leads them to discover or rediscover things they love such as singing in a rock band, photography, and spending time with their girlfriends. But even so, the rules turn out to be too much, and in only a few short weeks there is much more dating going on than there was before, despite the pledge to not date anyone for three whole months.

Is it any good?

This is fun, predictable chick lit about four sophomore girls dealing with guys, parents' divorces, keggers, and the true meaning of friendship. Although the alternating narrator structure becomes a little dizzying with four points of view, the characters are equally drawn, with supportive parents and likable guy characters. Coming up with a code of rules to follow could be a useful tool for many situations. It's just too bad the focus goes right back to boys and dating in the end.

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